News Briefs
DOGE Cuts Funding for Nevada Humanities, All Other State Humanities Councils
NEVADA
On April 2, Michael McDonald, acting chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in conjunction with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sent a letter to Nevada Humanities and 55 other state and jurisdictional humanities councils stating that their 5-year general operating support grant funding has been terminated effective immediately.
This funding from the NEH is the primary source of operating support for Nevada Humanities. NEH is also being targeted with the aim of terminating more than 600 other grant awards, substantially reducing its staff and eliminating many of the agency’s previously announced grant programs. The termination of Nevada Humanities grant funding will have a disastrous effect on the people of Nevada and, likewise, the loss of NEH funding will affect people in every congressional district across the country.
Founded in 1971, Nevada Humanities is among the oldest humanities councils in the nation, and has provided vital cultural programming and funding support to local nonprofits in Nevada for over 56 years. Nevada Humanities programs reinforce civic participation, community engagement, historic preservation, tourism infrastructure, and economic development, and articulate a deep sense of place essential for cultivating belonging and community cohesion in Nevada.
Nevada Humanities has issued an action alert (nevadahumanities.org/advocate) with information about how members of the public can contact their federal and local elected officials and urge them to protect Nevada Humanities and the NEH.
Visit nevadahumanities.org to learn more about the work of Nevada Humanities, and visit statehumanities.org/about-humanities-councils to learn more about the work of all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils that will be severely curtailed by the decision to terminate NEH grants.
~ Nevada Humanities press release
Board Approves Plan for 80 Affordable Housing Units at Dollar Creek Crossing
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Following a financial feasibility study discussion, the Placer County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved staff to move forward with the design of a fully affordable housing development plan on a portion of the Dollar Creek Crossing site in North Lake Tahoe. The move shifts the project from a mix of 110 achievable and affordable housing units to at least 80 affordable units with a reserved area for potential future development. The county will move forward with a developer agreement to complete the planning, design, and construction of the fully affordable project.
The board also supported creating a potential local tenant preference program that would consider local employment and residency in prioritizing future tenants.
The project is proposed on the 11.4 acres on North Lake Boulevard at Dollar Drive, which was purchased by the county in October 2019 with financial support from the Truckee Tahoe Airport District. This county-owned property is located near schools, transit routes, trails, and other services, making it an ideal location for members of the local workforce and their families.
Initial community outreach meetings in 2019 and 2020 highlighted concerns related to traffic, parking, and safety. In 2021, the county retained consultants to assess aspects of the proposed project, including studies looking at financial feasibility, housing demand, local transportation, fire risk, and more.
Additional studies and community outreach are anticipated before any construction on the site.
Learn more at placer.ca.gov/5955/dollar-creek-crossing.
~ Placer County press release
Launchpad Program To Spur North Lake Tahoe Workforce Housing Construction
NORTH LAKE TAHOE
New funding will soon be available to spur the development of workforce housing projects in the North Lake Tahoe region. The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the Launchpad program and authorized $1 million in transient occupancy tax funding from the general fund and TOT reserves.
The Launchpad program features funding incentives from the county for interested applicants in exchange for deed-restricting new housing units for the local workforce. The program is designed to support new construction of workforce housing units locally as well as the conversion of existing commercial and residential space that may not be code compliant but can be renovated to meet building standards. By supporting both new construction and the renovation of existing spaces, the program expands the range of housing options and opportunities for local community members.
Over the past 2 decades, the construction of multifamily and workforce housing in Eastern Placer County has been limited. A July 2023 housing needs assessment published by the Mountain Housing Council highlighted a critical shortage of 8,200 housing units in the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District area.
The initial $1 million funding will allow Placer County to release a Notice of Funding Availability and begin accepting applications.
The program will offer three categories of funding based on the type of units being created:
- New townhomes, condos, and multi-family dwellings would be eligible for $200,000 per unit;
- Accessory dwelling units could receive $125,000;
- Single-room occupancy, similar to dormitories, could receive $50,000 per unit
Learn more at placer.ca.gov/10115/launchpad.
~ Placer County press release
Celebrate Earth Day at Nevada City’s Earth Fest
NEVADA CITY
Celebrate Earth Month with the Earth Fest Street Fair on Sunday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Nevada City. Learn about environmental issues and identify solutions to climate change in a family-friendly atmosphere.
The event will showcase 65-plus vendors including SYRCL, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Nevada County, the Tahoe National Forest, the California College of Ayurveda, and many more. Additionally, there will be retail and food vendors offering environmentally friendly goods including a native plant sale, locally crafted clothing, solar, eco-wares, and more. The electric vehicle car and bike show hosted by Nevada County Climate Action Now is one of the key attractions. Attendees can tour the vehicles and learn directly from the vehicle owners about their experiences.
A packed line-up will include live music and special performances, featuring Artemis Arthur & The Band as the headliners. Haute Trash will host a fashion show featuring designs made completely from upcycled trash. There are numerous kids’ activities, too.
A special panel discussion, From Wildfires to Renewable Energy, hosted by Sierra Energy Reimagined will take place at city hall at 1 p.m. Attendees will learn how to address the challenges of climate change and help restore forest health.
Earth Fest is a zero/low-waste event. A unique feature of the event is the bio-digester demonstration unit provided by 3 Suns Farms, which turns waste into energy and nutrient-rich char. Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable bottles, utensils, and bags to the event to prevent waste.
Learn more at nevadacitychamber.com/earthfest.
~ Nevada City Chamber press release
Placer County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation Offenses
CARNELIAN BAY
Randy Anger, 57, of Carnelian Bay, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and $10,200 in special assessments for distribution and receipt of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, in May 2021 Anger distributed and received child sexual abuse material on the Kik Messenger app while communicating with Brent Hooton. Hooton was separately charged and convicted in the Eastern District of California with production and distribution of child pornography and was sentenced to 27 years in prison. In November 2021, Anger also received several images of child sexual abuse material on the Wickr app.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance by Homeland Security Investigations and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit usdoj.gov/psc.
~ United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of California press release
TDPUD Approves Power Cost Adjustment Credit
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) Board of Directors approved several key initiatives at its March meeting, including approving a power cost adjustment credit to electric customers, a new bill round-up program, and adopting a resolution outlining the impacts that federal funding cuts will have locally on wildfire mitigation and readiness.
In 2023, the board approved a new quarterly power cost adjustment program for electric customers. For the fourth quarter of 2024, the cost of the power TDPUD purchased was less than the kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate charged, so electric customers will receive a credit of $0.0337 per kWh on their March and April bills to reflect this difference. This amounts to an average credit per month of $24.87 for residential accounts.
In 2024, actual power costs for the year were 10% below budget expectations. With this new adjustment mechanism, TDPUD is directly crediting back these savings to customers. For 2024, the total adjustments effectively take the 12% average rate increase down 4.6%, to an effective rate increase of 7.4%.
The board also approved the creation of a new voluntary bill round-up program, which will give customers the option to round up their bill to the nearest dollar (capped at $11.88 per year). All the money collected from this program will assist customers with delinquent account balances. This program gives customers the opportunity to help their neighbors, and is anticipated to launch this summer.
In collaboration with other regional agencies, the board voted to adopt a resolution aimed at documenting the impacts that federal funding cuts will have on local wildfire mitigation and readiness. Wildfire mitigation has become a major focus for TDPUD over the past few years. By adopting this resolution, the TDPUD board has signaled that it will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that Truckee’s needs are addressed by federal policy and funding.
~ Truckee Donner Public Utilities District press release
Tahoe City Downtown Association Launches Bring Back the Boom Fireworks Fundraiser
TAHOE CITY
The Tahoe City Downtown Association has launched its Bring Back the Boom fireworks fundraising campaign to bring Fourth of July fireworks back to Tahoe City in 2025. The community has spoken loud and clear: they prefer fireworks over drones. The fireworks shows are completely funded by donations.
The Tahoe City Downtown Association needs help to raise $77,000 to pay for the fireworks, a perfect number to celebrate the 77th anniversary of Tahoe City’s Fourth of July fireworks. If the goal is reached, fireworks will once again be shot off from a barge in the lake, with viewing available at Commons Beach and many locations throughout downtown Tahoe City and the West Shore.
The North Tahoe Community Alliance has approved $37,500 in funding for the BMPs (mitigation efforts), as well as family-friendly activities and entertainment on the fourth. Stay tuned for more details on our 4th of July celebrations.
For those concerned about the environmental impacts of fireworks, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) allows firework shows in the Lake Tahoe Basin. A Lahontan Water Quality Control Board and Desert Research Institute study found there was no indication of significant water quality impacts of fireworks on Lake Tahoe or the need to continue monitoring.
Donate to the fireworks fundraiser at gofund.me/af60d79b. Donate $150 or more to receive a Bring Back the Boom T-shirt.
Those interested in joining the Fourth of July committee, please email Event Manager Pam Pokorny at pam@visittahoecity.com.
To make a large donation to sponsor the show, contact TCDA Executive Director Katherine Hill at kat@visittahoecity.com. Sponsorship packages range from $150 to $10,000 for a title sponsor available.
Donations are also accepted by check and may be sent to:
Tahoe City Downtown Association
POB 6744
Tahoe City, CA 96145
*Please note that your donation is for the fireworks on the memo.
~ Tahoe City Downtown Association
Scam Alert: Scammers Impersonating Tahoe Forest Health System Staff
LAKE TAHOE
Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS) has recently received multiple reports of scammers impersonating employees and attempting to obtain personal information from patients. Security staff has investigated the matter and can attest there has been no breach or unauthorized access to data within the healthcare system’s technical infrastructure. TFHS is actively monitoring these activities and working closely with state, federal, and cybersecurity experts.
While TFHS cannot pinpoint the exact source of these incidents, it is possible that patients may have been compromised through phishing emails, third-party data breaches unrelated to data stored at Tahoe Forest, or other means. Given the rising number of cyber threats in healthcare and beyond, TFHS expects that such incidents may continue. Should TFHS become aware of any breach within its systems, it will notify patients immediately.
~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release
Moving In, Moving On, Moving Up
Local Community Leaders Join North Tahoe Community Alliance Board of Directors
TAHOE CITY
Two local community leaders, Danny Scott of Tahoe Restaurant Group and Caroline Ross of Palisades Village Neighborhood Company, were elected by the North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) membership to join the organization’s all-volunteer board of directors. A third community leader, Rob Olson, was appointed by the NTCA Board of Directors to fill the vacant seat representing the Tahoe City Downtown Association. The seated board will help make recommendations about how to reinvest TBID and TOT funds generated by tourism in support of local priorities that benefit residents, businesses and visitors.
The NTCA Board of Directors guides the work of the organization in its responsibilities under the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District (NLT-TBID) that focus on destination stewardship and management, responsible tourism development, housing and transportation, and other stewardship initiatives. The organization is focused on fostering economic health, community vitality, and environmental stewardship that benefits local residents, businesses, and visitors.
The board includes six seats that are nominated by organizations and elected by members, and 10 designated seats also elected by members, as specified in the NTCA bylaws. All board members volunteer their time with no compensation, to help shape and guide the activities of the NTCA.
In addition, the full board elected its new executive committee, with Jill Schott named as board chair. Kevin Drake will serve as vice chair, Samir Tuma as board secretary, DJ Ewan as treasurer, and Sue Rae Irelan will contribute to the executive committee as past chair.
Learn more at northtahoecommunityalliance.com.
~ North Tahoe Community Alliance press release
Business Briefs
Truckee Hot Sauce Company Launches Local ‘High-Altitude Hot Sauce’
TRUCKEE
After years of late nights dicing peppers, refining recipes, hand-selecting ingredients and navigating business logistics, Truckee Hot Sauce recently launched in stores throughout Truckee, Tahoe, Reno, and Northern California.
The Truckee-based business was founded by long-time local residents Tray and Janai Shock, and holds Nevada County’s only state cannery license. The company’s flagship sauces — On the Go Rojo and Everyday Verde — can be found in shops, markets, and restaurants across the region.
Currently, Truckee Hot Sauce is available in a wide variety of locations around Truckee, including at resorts like Sugar Bowl, restaurants like Wagon Train and Cornerstone Kitchen, grocers like Raley’s and Z Marketplace, and shops like the Cooking Gallery. The products are currently available in nearly 40 locations, with more stores carrying the sauce each week.
With the California Cannery License in hand, commercial kitchen space rented in Truckee, and Truckee Hot Sauce is not sitting still. The company is seeking out new partnerships, blending new recipes, finding new distribution methods, and selling sauce online.
To learn more or to order the company’s sauce, visit truckeehotsauce.com.
~ Truckee Hot Sauce press release
Guesthouse Lake Tahoe Debuts This Spring
TRUCKEE
Guesthouse, a new collection of members-only rental houses that combine the comforts of a luxury home with the amenities of a boutique hotel, is proud to announce its inaugural property, Guesthouse Lake Tahoe, which is now available for booking.
Guesthouse Lake Tahoe will open in Northern California’s Truckee/Tahoe in spring 2025, welcoming guests with inspiring residential-style design along with exclusive services and amenities including a private chef, private driver, local guide, 24/7 house captain, and ski access to any Lake Tahoe resort.
The expansive property is situated in the heart of historic downtown Truckee. It comprises a newly built nearly 4,000-square-foot private residence and the neighboring Titus House, which will house Guesthouse Pantry, an artisanal bakery and café opening to the public in late 2025. Guesthouse Lake Tahoe comfortably sleeps 10 guests and provides ample privacy to rest and recharge along with dynamic communal spaces to connect, socialize, work, and play informally and as a part of curated experiences.
Rates for Guesthouse Lake Tahoe range from $3,000 to $5,000 per night based on seasonality; nightly rates are inclusive of private chef with three meals a day for up to 10 guests, private driver, local guide, and 24/7 house captain, among other services and amenities. Every first-time guest receives a complimentary annual membership, providing year-round access to Guesthouse Lake Tahoe. After the first year, the membership is $417 per month.
Guesthouse Lake Tahoe is located at 10403 High St. in Truckee. Bookings are open at guesthousecompany.com or membership@guesthousecompany.com.
~ Guesthouse press release
